We've been by Oliver's Twist a million times and finally made it in on a cold night in December. We were looking forward to comfort food and from the previous reviews we'd seen, though Oliver's... More

We've been by Oliver's Twist a million times and finally made it in on a cold night in December. We were looking forward to comfort food and from the previous reviews we'd seen, though Oliver's Twist would be the perfect spot. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with our experience. We started off with the garlic truffled popcorn and it was indeed a taste treat,definitely the highlight of our dinner. Next we tried the tomato cappuccino with mini grilled cheese sandwich. Decent tomato soup, but it could have been Campbell's from a can. We rounded out our tasting dinner with the blue cheese-bacon stuffed dates with marcona almonds and warm tomato vinaigrette. Good lord, how could something with such amazing ingredients go so horribly wrong?!?!? Ugh. The dates were mushy and tasted like a salt lick. You could not discern the bacon, nor the blue cheese flavor. Forget about trying to find the subtlety of the tomato vinaigrette. Next time, we'll go to Stumbling Goat instead.
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Highly recommend any of their drinks but especially their French 75 and their Manhattan. For all those who loves their grilled cheese and tomato soup, once you have their tomato cappuccino and... More

Highly recommend any of their drinks but especially their French 75 and their Manhattan. For all those who loves their grilled cheese and tomato soup, once you have their tomato cappuccino and grilled cheese you will never go back, truly amazing. Also their truffle popcorn, blue cheese stuffed dates and fingerling potatoes are excellent
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This place had a nice atmosphere. I used to live very close by and would walk my dog by there alot. They have big garage style windows that are open in the summer time. Their tapas are good. Try... More

This place had a nice atmosphere. I used to live very close by and would walk my dog by there alot. They have big garage style windows that are open in the summer time. Their tapas are good. Try the popcorn with truffle salt! Guys - this place is huge for groups of ladies going out for drinks...if you know what I mean....
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At first glance, the food menu looks great and, considering the fancy and delicious-sounding concoctions listed, prices look very reasonable. However, once the food arrives, it turns out to be... More

At first glance, the food menu looks great and, considering the fancy and delicious-sounding concoctions listed, prices look very reasonable. However, once the food arrives, it turns out to be overpriced for what you end up getting - and how much of it. One of us ordered an platter of open-faced mini-sandwiches of ham and tomato relish on toasted baguette slices (I forget the exact name of this dish). The bread was completely dry from the toasting and the texture of the over-crisped bread slices did not mesh well with the tomatoes and smoked meat on top. Definitely not worth $8. My own order, a chocolate-and-marshmallow grilled sandwich, was appropriately warm and gooey for the first few minutes but turned cold and sticky all too quickly, and the bread was way too dry as well. We're glad we found this restaurant, as it was one of the very few places in this neighborhood open after 9 pm, and the three of us were able to sit down, have a snack, and chat... but they could have done a much better job with the food. Pros: one of only a couple of eateries in the neighborhood open after 9 pm on a Saturday night Cons: food quality and value are average at best
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Oliver's Twist lives up to its name with its tasteful atmosphere and clever dishes. True Dickens fans will love that all of the house cocktails are named, appropriately, after bizarre Oliver Twist... More

Oliver's Twist lives up to its name with its tasteful atmosphere and clever dishes. True Dickens fans will love that all of the house cocktails are named, appropriately, after bizarre Oliver Twist characters. Others will just love the ambience, music, casual feel and delicious appetizer-sized dishes. I'll give fair warning that this is not a good place to go if you're expecting to get full. While the food is wonderfully presented and delightfully different, this spot is much more condusive to the late-night, cocktail-sipping crowd. Plates are reasonably priced at around $8 and the combinations of flavors on the menu will indeed be an adventure for you to try! I recommend the Rose Maylie cocktail which, while the ingredients are slightly daunting, has a wonderful flavor that is accented by tones of rosemary. It's a great place to mellow-out with friends and just be at ease as the waitstaff is friendly and quick to make suggestions but without rushing your party. If you are open to new tastes... give Oliver's a try! Pros: wonderful infusions in food and drinks, friendly waitstaff, cozy scene Cons: parking, no real entrees
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I've been to Oliver's many times since they opened and each time I go I am instantly delighted. This place is perfect for so many reasons...It's comfortable and artful, the food is simply delicious... More

I've been to Oliver's many times since they opened and each time I go I am instantly delighted. This place is perfect for so many reasons...It's comfortable and artful, the food is simply delicious and the cocktails are unique and tantalizing. It's a great spot to hang out in a dark corner with my husband for an hour (while the kid is at home with the babysitter). Yet it's also a fun place to go with my girlfriends after work to drink and laugh and nosh on tasty small bites. The service is always friendly, well informed, laidback and professional. My favorite new dish is the very simple, but absolutely delectable, pan-fried baguette with garlic, tomato and Serrano ham. It is a masterful example of how quality ingredients, prepared just right, can surpass the most complicated culinary creations. At $8.00 it is priced just right. Another finger-licking good dish is the Mt. Townsend Camembert with bacon compote. MMMMMM! But wait...What smells better than bacon? Popcorn! Oliver's truffled popcorn is the best ever. FYI the popcorn is not "greasy", that's truffle oil, people! To the uninitiated, Oliver's cocktails can seem a bit unusual, but they always work and it adds to the experience. I go there BECAUSE the place is unique. I can make my own gin and tonic at home, but who in their right mind would think to make a Mr. Sowerberry at home? I for one don't have elderfower syrup in my cupboard. To those naysayers I say, expand your horizons, live a little, take a chance, it's only a drink after all. And if it isn't to your taste, try another! Granted no place is perfect 100% of the time, (and there always will be whiners who will cry, complain and be petty about things of no real significance) but in my opinion Oliver's Twist is spot on in all categories including price. It is well worth a trip to Phinney Ridge. It's closer to nirvana than you think! Pros: Food, cocktails, atmosphere Cons: None
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Went to Oliver's Twist last night for about the third time. They make good drinks and the atmosphere is pleasing in general, but single males are not exactly welcomed with open arms. This is a... More

Went to Oliver's Twist last night for about the third time. They make good drinks and the atmosphere is pleasing in general, but single males are not exactly welcomed with open arms. This is a place that as the bartender told me is a "chic" bar. The Duck fat fingerling potatoes and the Kale are both excellent if a touch pricey. Very strange Beer list, but apparently chosen by the owner for flavor, but there are beers from all over the world, but notably weak on selections from the PNW. Service while professionally friendly, is not particularly helpful or welcoming. If you're out in Phinney ridge with the girls, come here, if you're out with the boys, go somewhere else. Pros: Good drinks, nice atmosphere, good small plates Cons: Expensive, slow and inattentive service, SMALL plates
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The only thing I can really say about Oliver's Twist is that its cool. The drinks are cool, the interiors are cool, the food is cool, even the location (Phinney Ridge) is becoming cool. I tried the... More

The only thing I can really say about Oliver's Twist is that its cool. The drinks are cool, the interiors are cool, the food is cool, even the location (Phinney Ridge) is becoming cool. I tried the signature Artful Dodger, which is made with Cynar, a liqueur made from artichoke. It is immaculate looking, and very cool. The drink itself is okay, and I definitely think its requires an acquired (or at least experimental) taste. It is these signature cocktails that make Oliver's Twist such a cool experience - you look at the drink menu and think "what the hell is that?" But, try it and see, and you'll feel cool doing it. The food is cool too, if a bit small and a bit overpriced. We had some sort of ham bruschetta/baguette plate (sorry, don't remember the specific name). It was $8 for three little pieces. For what it was worth, they were good and the presentation was nice, but I expected a bit more for $8. Pros: Fantastic interior, cool atmosphere, interesting drinks Cons: Food a tad overpriced
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I went on a Monday night with some girlfriends. We had never been but decided to go based on good reviews. The atmosphere is nice and laid-back, perfect for a catching up with friends. But our... More

I went on a Monday night with some girlfriends. We had never been but decided to go based on good reviews. The atmosphere is nice and laid-back, perfect for a catching up with friends. But our server was completely inattentive even though it was a slow night (maybe 4 other tables between her and the bartender). When she finally came to take our order we asked her some questions about their specialty cocktails but she just said she wasn't sure what to tell us and it was a matter of preference. Really? Anytime she asked us if we wanted anything else she had an attitude and made it clear we could go anytime. My friends and I work at a local bar & grill so we know the biz, we were not rude and even tipped more than 20% but I won't go back. Pros: Cute atmosphere, great food and interesting drinks Cons: Bad service
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I went with a small group of other mom's for a ladies night out. Whenever the conversation turned to the food the waitress would suddenly appear to comment on what we were just talking... More

I went with a small group of other mom's for a ladies night out. Whenever the conversation turned to the food the waitress would suddenly appear to comment on what we were just talking about....case in point one of my friends got the popcorn and was commenting on how it was good but pretty greasy and along comes the waitress from across the room to tell us she didn't think it was greasy. The she added her tip to the tab and when we were wondering about it at the table amongst ourselves she again came over from across the room to explain why she'd added the tip to the tab. I wonder what else she heard during out evening? It was a slow night but even if you hear the conversations happening at your customer's tables at least have the dignity to pretend you don't hear! The food was fine, not something I'd do often but the service was terrible! Pros: Nice romantic atmospher Cons: Nosey Service!
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